24.00: Problems of Philosophy
Prof. Sally Haslanger
September 22, 2005
FIRST PAPER TOPICS
Write a short (5-7 page) paper on ONE of the following topics. Be sure to follow the
“Guidelines for Papers” that appears as page 2 of this assignment and is available on the MIT
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Server. Page numbers in parentheses refer to Reason and Responsibility, 12 edition. Remember
to submit an electronic copy of your paper to your TA.
Papers are due Thursday 10/6 or Friday 10/7 in your recitation section.
1. Consider the argument (borrowing from Anselm, RR 7):
i) That which can be conceived not to exist is not God.
ii) Therefore, God exists.
Elaborate this argument (the one just stated in (i) and (ii)) in a way that shows what is plausible about
it. Does it succeed in proving God’s existence? Why or why not?
2. Through his dialogue between the brothers Ivan and Alyosha, Dostoevsky asks:
But there are the children, and what am I to do about them? That’s a question I can’t
answer. For the hundredth time I repeat, there are numbers of questions, but I’ve only
taken the children, because in their case what I mean is so unanswerably clear. Listen!
If all must suffer to pay for the eternal harmony, what have children to do with it, tell
me, please! It’s beyond all comprehension why they should suffer, and why they should
pay for the harmony. Why should they, too, furnish material to enrich the soil for the
harmony of the future? (Dostoevsky, RR 84)
What is Ivan’s point? Do you think there is an argument in this passage for atheism? Why or
why not?
2. Pascal believes that atheism is irrational. What is his argument for this claim? Do you agree?
Why or why not?
3. Evidentialism is the view that:
…it is wrong, always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient
evidence. (Clifford, RR 101)
Critically evaluate this claim. Do you agree? Why or why not?
4. It is sometimes suggested that all stereotypes contain a “kernel of truth,” otherwise they
would be long ago rejected. Do you agree? Why or why not? Is one ever justified in believing
a stereotype?
You may write on a topic of your own design if you submit a proposal in writing to your TA at
least 72 hours in advance of the deadline, and it is approved.
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24.00: Problems of Philosophy
Prof. Sally Haslanger
GUIDELINES FOR PAPERS
1. All papers should be neatly typed, double-spaced, in an easily readable font. Be sure to
include your name and your TA's name on your paper. For safety, keep copies of your papers.
Please number your pages. Papers should be turned in at the time and date indicated on the
syllabus and on the paper topics.
2. All papers should be within the length guidelines specified. If you have more to say than
you can fit within the page limits, pare down your discussion: make sure you have stayed on
topic, focus your discussion on the most important points for your argument. However, note
that because this is a HASS-D course, you must submit a total of 20 pages during the term.
3. Essay topics must be taken from the list distributed in class, and your paper should be on one
topic only. Stick closely to the topic; be sure you address the question asked. All papers should be
clearly organized around a thesis, and should provide arguments for it. On some occasions
your TA may approve an alternative paper topic. If you are interested in writing on a topic of
your own design, speak to your TA well in advance of the paper deadline.
4. If you wish to attribute a position to a philosopher we have discussed, be sure to check that
the text supports your attribution. On controversial points you should cite textual evidence,
e.g., by quotation, or by giving the line numbers of relevant texts in parentheses. It is imperative
that you indicate when you are quoting or paraphrasing an author, and when you do you must
cite references to the original text. Failure to do so counts as plagiarism and will be handled
accordingly. However, points made in lecture or in class handouts are “common property” for
students in this class and may be relied upon in your papers without citation. (More on
plagiarism, see syllabus.)
5. Although quotes are helpful, please keep quotation to a minimum. The paper should be, by
in large, in your own words.
6. You do not need to consult additional secondary sources. If you do, this must be
acknowledged in the paper. If you quote or paraphrase a secondary source, this must be
attributed to the author; if you relied on texts in your preparation which were not assigned in
class, include reference to them in a bibliography at the end of the paper (even if you don’t
quote from them). (More on plagiarism, see syllabus.)
7. Papers are due at the date and time specified. After that time papers will be considered late
and will be penalized one third of a grade per day, i.e., from a B+ to a B. If you foresee special
difficulties with the deadline, speak to your TA well in advance.
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